Peter Hamby • February 24, 2026

Trump’s Pre-SOTU Red Alert

As the White House gears up for tonight’s State of the Union, exclusive new polling demonstrates the uphill battle for Republicans: Most voters haven’t heard about what should be some of their most popular policies. And Trump’s nonstop blabbermouthing risks drowning them all out.

Abby Livingston • February 23, 2026

Fairshake 451

The crypto-backed super PAC Fairshake is on a bipartisan search-and-destroy mission to take out congressional critics this cycle, starting in the Democratic primaries. “They are becoming really, really organized,” one strategist said. And they’ve got nearly $200 million in cash on hand.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 22, 2026

Shapiro & Moore Take D.C.

Frustrations with ICE boiled over in a private meeting of the National Governors Association, where even Republican members were concerned with Trump’s push to nationalize elections. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, one question dominated all others: Who’s running for president?

Abby Livingston • February 19, 2026

Jasmine Crockett Counter Theories

For a moment, the Texas Senate primary seemed straightforward for Democrats. But while James Talarico has capitalized on his Colbert media moment and a commanding financial lead, Crockett’s strong polling and social media recognition will keep the party guessing until the end.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 18, 2026

Trump’s $1.4B Midterm Revenge Tour

As midterm season kicks into gear, Republicans fret over what Trump plans to do with his war chest, while a set of high-profile primaries prove everything is indeed bigger in Texas.

Peter Hamby • February 17, 2026

Dems’ Fightin’ Words

Democrats still can’t do much of anything until they reclaim at least one chamber of Congress, but they’re finally figuring out how to speak about Trump without losing the plot. Fresh polling from Blueprint Research measures which messaging is actually landing with voters.

Julia Ioffe • February 16, 2026

La La Greenland

At the Munich Security Conference, American lawmakers struggled to reassure European allies who are still traumatized by Trump’s threats to invade Greenland. Lindsey Graham’s F-bombs didn’t help.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 15, 2026

The Britt Factor

An Alabama conservative, Trump ally, and Democrat whisperer, Katie Britt has built a career on charming both parties. But triangulation has a short shelf life in Trump’s Washington.

Julia Ioffe • February 12, 2026

Is NATO Already Over?

The Munich Security Conference, once an annual affirmation of the U.S.-led transatlantic order, has become a mirror for European anxieties that America is transforming from an ally to a threat—and that the task of protecting the continent will soon fall on their shoulders alone.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 11, 2026

ICE, Interrupted

With D.H.S. funding set to expire, Democrats—newly unified, and with a favorable polling wind at their backs—are prepared to risk a shutdown over reforming ICE, betting that Republicans and a politically weakened Trump will absorb the blame.

Peter Hamby • February 10, 2026

California Love

California is the epicenter of Democrats’ nationwide intraparty reckoning. Races up and down the ballot—including to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom—will reveal whether voters want a fixer or a fighter headed into 2028.

Abby Livingston • February 9, 2026

Inside Democrats’ Primary From Hell

Michigan’s three-way Democratic Senate primary is attracting historic gobs of money, drawing national talent, and providing an early preview of the sort of swing-state chaos the party can expect in 2028. It might also end up costing Democrats the seat.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 6, 2026

Sen. Moreno’s Stablecoin Solution

The Republican senator and fierce cryptocurrency advocate sits down for an especially timely Puck Power Breakfast conversation about his bipartisan blockchain bill, which would create a new market structure to regulate digital tokens and stablecoins alike.

Julia Ioffe • February 5, 2026

Trump’s Ukraine Charade

The latest Ukraine peace negotiations ended as they began, with merciless bombings, civilian suffering, false promises from Russia and Europe, and a seemingly clueless American delegation.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 4, 2026

Good Filibuster Hunting

John Thune’s real problem isn’t Democrats or the Trump White House, but a Republican crusade to turn the filibuster into a weapon which could grind the Senate to a halt.